Val
@valmel.bsky.social
Pro EU. Hate Brexit. An oldie who seems to buck the voting trend. Truth matters.
Love theatre and art - these matter in life and should be valued.
Love theatre and art - these matter in life and should be valued.
Reposted by Val
Oh and here’s Gross Stupid Richard Tice not knowing a thing about his local area.
Boston Pilgrim Hospital’s heating system is at the end of life. So getting something new, efficient and not fossil fuel is sensible.
Reform UK want you to believe it’s just money being splashed out.
Boston Pilgrim Hospital’s heating system is at the end of life. So getting something new, efficient and not fossil fuel is sensible.
Reform UK want you to believe it’s just money being splashed out.
November 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Oh and here’s Gross Stupid Richard Tice not knowing a thing about his local area.
Boston Pilgrim Hospital’s heating system is at the end of life. So getting something new, efficient and not fossil fuel is sensible.
Reform UK want you to believe it’s just money being splashed out.
Boston Pilgrim Hospital’s heating system is at the end of life. So getting something new, efficient and not fossil fuel is sensible.
Reform UK want you to believe it’s just money being splashed out.
Reposted by Val
"The bloc is in danger of squandering a period of better relations between the US president and Europe" - ha. This US administration is an extorting bully that can't do better relations with anyone, but whose President will take bribes. Survival against that is the best plan.
Trump trade negotiator hits out at EU delays in cutting tariffs and rules on.ft.com/4oUiQrq
Trump trade negotiator hits out at EU delays in cutting tariffs and rules
Jamieson Greer warns bloc that trade remains a ‘flashpoint’ in advance of talks next week
on.ft.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
"The bloc is in danger of squandering a period of better relations between the US president and Europe" - ha. This US administration is an extorting bully that can't do better relations with anyone, but whose President will take bribes. Survival against that is the best plan.
Reposted by Val
Disgusting when Chief executive Louise Beardmore is paid £840,000 every year! United Utilities has reported a 131% increase in profit for the 6 months ending on 30/9. That follows ‘regulator’ Ofwat approving a five year plan to raise people’s bills in the North West by 32%, starting April 2025.
United Utilities just hiked your bills—and saw a 131% profit surge
United Utilities is paying more than half the profit to shareholders, exposing its ‘infrastructure investment’ claims as a PR smokescreen
www.thecanary.co
November 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Disgusting when Chief executive Louise Beardmore is paid £840,000 every year! United Utilities has reported a 131% increase in profit for the 6 months ending on 30/9. That follows ‘regulator’ Ofwat approving a five year plan to raise people’s bills in the North West by 32%, starting April 2025.
Reposted by Val
My granddad was a refugee, my wife, our close friends and those of our kids are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
November 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
My granddad was a refugee, my wife, our close friends and those of our kids are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Reposted by Val
At least one Labour MP seems to have kept a grip on decency and common sense.
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:50 PM
At least one Labour MP seems to have kept a grip on decency and common sense.
Reposted by Val
If Trump sues the BBC, why shouldn't the BBC counter-sue Trump? Mine earlier today with Matt Frei on @lbc.co.uk
🎧: audioboom.com/posts/880671...
🎧: audioboom.com/posts/880671...
November 15, 2025 - If Trump sues BBC, should BBC counter-sue Trump?
Simon's live chat with Matt Frei, inspired by LBC caller Peter in Hampstead.
audioboom.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM
If Trump sues the BBC, why shouldn't the BBC counter-sue Trump? Mine earlier today with Matt Frei on @lbc.co.uk
🎧: audioboom.com/posts/880671...
🎧: audioboom.com/posts/880671...
Reposted by Val
GB News investor and Spectator owner Paul Marshall is in the running to buy the Telegraph now that the RedBird takeover plan has collapsed, the Guardian reports.
Hard to see this being anything other than a disaster for public discourse in Britain if that goes ahead.
Hard to see this being anything other than a disaster for public discourse in Britain if that goes ahead.
November 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
GB News investor and Spectator owner Paul Marshall is in the running to buy the Telegraph now that the RedBird takeover plan has collapsed, the Guardian reports.
Hard to see this being anything other than a disaster for public discourse in Britain if that goes ahead.
Hard to see this being anything other than a disaster for public discourse in Britain if that goes ahead.
Reposted by Val
Great defence of the BBC by Simon Marks. BBC should fight back quoting this arguments and facts cited here.
audioboom.com/posts/880647...
audioboom.com/posts/880647...
November 14, 2025 - "American Week": The Democrats cave-in to Trump, and Trump takes on the BBC
Simon's weekly update of events in the United States for Tom Swarbrick's Friday night programme on the UK's LBC. Listen live every Friday at 5:50pm or find it here on-demand afterwards.
audioboom.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Great defence of the BBC by Simon Marks. BBC should fight back quoting this arguments and facts cited here.
audioboom.com/posts/880647...
audioboom.com/posts/880647...
Reposted by Val
Quelle surprise...
Reform UK Ltd chaos in Cornwall, 6 months since local elections
Reform UK Ltd chaos in Cornwall, 6 months since local elections
When reality bites: the rapid rise and chaotic fall of Reform UK in Cornwall
Resignations, suspensions and infighting lead to party losing crown of highest number of seats in the county
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Quelle surprise...
Reform UK Ltd chaos in Cornwall, 6 months since local elections
Reform UK Ltd chaos in Cornwall, 6 months since local elections
Reposted by Val
Always remember that a parliamentary majority can (purport to) render a country "safe" by an Act. The Conservatives sought to do that with Rwanda, regardless of the facts.
Another chilling aspect... The Tories simply passed a law declaring Rwanda "safe".
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Do we really trust that this govt or the next won't resort to similar tactics if this finds them politically convenient?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
November 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Always remember that a parliamentary majority can (purport to) render a country "safe" by an Act. The Conservatives sought to do that with Rwanda, regardless of the facts.
Reposted by Val
Thread:
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Trump Boat Bombings Take Dark, Unnerving Turn with Leaked Memo Stunner
A new Trump administration memo argues that those carrying out the boat attacks can’t be prosecuted. Why? Because the administration says so!
newrepublic.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Thread:
Reposted by Val
➡️ Brexit reduced UK GDP by 6-8%
➡️ Investment reduced by between 12-18%
➡️ Employment reduced by 3-4%
➡️ Productivity reduced by 3-4%
"Combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources from a protracted Brexit process"
➡️ Investment reduced by between 12-18%
➡️ Employment reduced by 3-4%
➡️ Productivity reduced by 3-4%
"Combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources from a protracted Brexit process"
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 PM
➡️ Brexit reduced UK GDP by 6-8%
➡️ Investment reduced by between 12-18%
➡️ Employment reduced by 3-4%
➡️ Productivity reduced by 3-4%
"Combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources from a protracted Brexit process"
➡️ Investment reduced by between 12-18%
➡️ Employment reduced by 3-4%
➡️ Productivity reduced by 3-4%
"Combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources from a protracted Brexit process"
Reposted by Val
Ukraine war briefing: Greece signs deal to supply gas to Kyiv over ‘difficult’ winter
Ukraine war briefing: Greece signs deal to supply gas to Kyiv over ‘difficult’ winter
Agreement comes as Volodymyr Zelenskyy starts European tour aimed at shoring up Ukrainian energy supply and defences. What we know on day 1,363
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Ukraine war briefing: Greece signs deal to supply gas to Kyiv over ‘difficult’ winter
Reposted by Val
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Scientists find hidden antibiotic 100x stronger against deadly superbugs
A team of scientists discovered a hidden antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against deadly superbugs like MRSA. The molecule had been overlooked for decades in a familiar bacterium. It…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Val
According to the National Bureau for Economic Research, Brexit has had negative impact and was the catalyst for the UK’s economic downfall with GDP falling by 8%, investment down by 12% and employment down 4% from where they should all be since 2016. www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
'GDP reduced by 8%' - Nine-year study reveals how Brexit decimated UK economy
Can't help but feel those responsible for Brexit should not, for example, be riding high in the polls with a new party...
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:03 AM
According to the National Bureau for Economic Research, Brexit has had negative impact and was the catalyst for the UK’s economic downfall with GDP falling by 8%, investment down by 12% and employment down 4% from where they should all be since 2016. www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
Reposted by Val
“it’s important that we send a...clear signal to those people who are ...looking to get on a boat in the north of France: this is not a journey worth making.” They're risking their lives already. I struggle to see how these rules changes will alter that calculation www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood: ‘Illegal migration is tearing Britain apart’
The home secretary is planning to introduce a 20-year wait for permanent stay to end a ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:19 AM
“it’s important that we send a...clear signal to those people who are ...looking to get on a boat in the north of France: this is not a journey worth making.” They're risking their lives already. I struggle to see how these rules changes will alter that calculation www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Val
Apropos of nothing:
People with narcissistic personality traits are very sensitive to ‘injury’ from defeat.
They may feel humiliated, degraded, hollow, and empty.
They may react with disdain, rage, or defiant counterattack.
People with narcissistic personality traits are very sensitive to ‘injury’ from defeat.
They may feel humiliated, degraded, hollow, and empty.
They may react with disdain, rage, or defiant counterattack.
November 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Apropos of nothing:
People with narcissistic personality traits are very sensitive to ‘injury’ from defeat.
They may feel humiliated, degraded, hollow, and empty.
They may react with disdain, rage, or defiant counterattack.
People with narcissistic personality traits are very sensitive to ‘injury’ from defeat.
They may feel humiliated, degraded, hollow, and empty.
They may react with disdain, rage, or defiant counterattack.
Reposted by Val
For about ten minutes after Keir Starmer’s conference speech it seemed like the PM understood what his voters wanted to hear – an actual challenge to the racism of Reform. But instead of seeing it as the start of new messaging, it feels like his team just regarded it as job done.
November 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
For about ten minutes after Keir Starmer’s conference speech it seemed like the PM understood what his voters wanted to hear – an actual challenge to the racism of Reform. But instead of seeing it as the start of new messaging, it feels like his team just regarded it as job done.
Reposted by Val
Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
The US president has said he backs US lawmakers efforts to release the files, ahead of an expected House vote this week
US President Donald Trump has said he backs lawmakers’ efforts to release more files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite being previously opposed to the measure.
“House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, calling the controversy over his former friend’s criminality a “Democrat hoax.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Trump tells Republicans to vote to release Epstein files, saying ‘we have nothing to hide’
Reposted by Val
A traitor writes.
November 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
A traitor writes.
Reposted by Val
Late to this, but if the Sunday Times is correct that Morgan McSweeney spent one and a half hours last week with Lord Glasman then he isn't fit to fill any senior position in government.
November 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Late to this, but if the Sunday Times is correct that Morgan McSweeney spent one and a half hours last week with Lord Glasman then he isn't fit to fill any senior position in government.
Reposted by Val
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Terrifying.
The answer - I believe- is that we have politicians that favour short-termism . They’re only interested in their careers because many of our current politicians believe in nothing. (Obv Zack, Ed Davey and Ed Miliband are exempt from this criticism).
Terrifying.
The answer - I believe- is that we have politicians that favour short-termism . They’re only interested in their careers because many of our current politicians believe in nothing. (Obv Zack, Ed Davey and Ed Miliband are exempt from this criticism).
Flooded and forgotten: the UK’s waters are rising and we’re being kept in the dark | John Harris
Rescue operations in Wales, submerged railway lines in Cornwall – these events are ever more common. So why have we utterly failed to prepare, asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:01 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Terrifying.
The answer - I believe- is that we have politicians that favour short-termism . They’re only interested in their careers because many of our current politicians believe in nothing. (Obv Zack, Ed Davey and Ed Miliband are exempt from this criticism).
Terrifying.
The answer - I believe- is that we have politicians that favour short-termism . They’re only interested in their careers because many of our current politicians believe in nothing. (Obv Zack, Ed Davey and Ed Miliband are exempt from this criticism).
Reposted by Val
The absurdity of bankers’ retirement fund targets on.ft.com/4i1Y5Yx | opinion
The absurdity of bankers’ retirement fund targets
Caution around the savings needed to stop work reflects an insecurity that is hard to shift
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:20 AM
The absurdity of bankers’ retirement fund targets on.ft.com/4i1Y5Yx | opinion
Reposted by Val
A snapshot of life without human rights- i.e. without the protection of the ECHR!!! it's just horrific😰
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Patronato: My mum was a 17-year-old free spirit in Franco's Spain - so she was locked up and put in a coma
Marina's mother was held against her will in a convent in 1960s Spain under Franco's regime.
www.bbc.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
A snapshot of life without human rights- i.e. without the protection of the ECHR!!! it's just horrific😰
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Val
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
November 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing